Spring 2025 County Lines

County Lines The Official Publication of the Association of Arkansas Counties

Spring 2025

Signing bills into law

Legislative session proves to be a success for counties

Page 21

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In This Issue Spring 2025

Features Peace Officers› Memorial Day Service..........................................25 President Approves Major Disaster Declaration......................26 Celebrating 250 Years.................................................................29

AAC Photo Recap: Collectors..........................................................43 AAC Photo Recap: Coroners...........................................................44

Departments

AAC Photo Recap: Safety Meeting................................................38

From the Director’s Desk...................................................................7 President’s Perspective.....................................................................9.

AG Opinions........................................................................................11 AAC Research Corner.......................................................................13 Seems to Me.....................................................................................18 Legal Corner.......................................................................................20 Governmental Affairs.......................................................................21

AAC Photo Recap: Supervisor Bootcamp....................................39 AAC Photo Recap: Quorum Court Association............................40 AAC Photo Recap: ARORP..............................................................42

AAC Risk Management Services...................................................22 Litigation Lessons.............................................................................24 News from NACo...............................................................................28

Photographer Gravitates Toward Courthouses.........................30 Criminal Justice in Washington County.....................................32 Meet Your Board Members: Deanna Sivley...............................34 Meet Your Board Members: Terry McNatt.................................34 AAC Photo Recap: Legislative Recap.........................................37

Cover Notes: Legislative Session — Signing Bills into Law

Photo by Sarah Perry, AAC Communications Coordinator

County sheriffs and officials from the Department of Human Services were present on April 17 when Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed into law SB313 (Act 733 of 2025), a forensic mental health bill that will ease jail overcrowding by making evaluations more efficient and steering mentally challenged inmates into treatment. To read more about the 95th General Assembly’s regular session, turn to page 21.

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2025 Aug. 13-15 AAC Annual Conference Rogers Convention Center, Rogers

Sept. 9-12 Circuit Clerks Mount Magazine

Sept. 2-5 Judges Wyndham, North Little Rock

Sept. 17-19 County Clerks Conway, Faulkner County

Sept. 3-5 Treasurers Hotel Hot Springs, Hot Springs

Oct. 21-24 Assessors Embassy Suites, Jonesboro

AAC Mission Statement

Calendar activities also are posted on our website:

www.arcounties.org

Contact AAC

T

he Association of Arkansas Counties supports and promotes the idea that all elected officials must have the opportunity to act together in order to solve mutual problems as a unified group. To further this goal, the Association of Arkansas Counties is committed to providing a single source of cooperative support and information for all counties and county and district officials.

The overall purpose of the Association of Arkansas Counties is to work for the improvement of county government in the state of Arkansas. The Association accomplishes this purpose by providing legislative representation, on-site assistance, general research, training, various publications and conferences to assist county officials in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of their office.

1415 West Third Street Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 372-7550 phone / (501) 372-0611 fax www.arcounties.org

Chris Villines, Executive Director cvillines@arcounties.org

Mark Harrell, IT Manager Ellen Wood, Admin. Asst./Receptionist mharrell@arcounties.org ewood@aacrms.com

Anne Baker, Sr. Executive Assistant abaker@arcounties.org

Jim Grinder, Cyber/Network Security Engineer JaNan Thomas, RMS Counsel jgrinder@arcounties.org jthomas@arcounties.org

Loretta Green, Receptionist lgreen@arcounties.org Eddie A. Jones, Consultant e.jonesconsulting@gmail.com

Risk Management/ Workers’ Compensation

Melissa Dugger, RMS Litigation Counsel mdugger@arcounties.org Mallory Floyd, RMS Employment Counsel mfloyd@arcounties.org

Taylor Handford, Legal Counsel thandford@arcounties.org

Brandy McAllister, RMS & Insurance Director bmcallister@arcounties.org Falyn Traina, RMS Litigation Counsel ftraina@arcounties.org Misty Petrus, Workers’ Comp Sr. Claims Mgr. mpetrus@arcounties.org Ali Noland, RMS Litigation Counsel anoland@arcounties.org Cathy Perry, Program Analyst cperry@aacrms.com Fonda Fitzgerald, RMS Paralegal Kim Nash, Workers’ Comp Claims Adjuster ffitzgerald@arcounties.org knash@aacrms.com Ian Gaebel, RMS Paralegal Renee Turner,Workers’ Comp Claims Adjuster igaebel@arcounties.org rturner@aacrms.com

Christy L. Smith, Communications Director csmith@arcounties.org

Jennifer Shook, Medical Claims Adjuster Samantha Wren, RMS Assistant jshook@arcounties.org swren@arcounties.org

Sarah Perry, Communications Coordinator sperry@arcounties.org

Cindy Posey, Accounting/HR Manager cposey@arcounties.org

Jacob Trumble, Claims Analyst jtrumble@arcounties.org Erica Archer, RMS Legal Assistant earcher@arcounties.org Greg Hunt, Claims Analyst ghunt@aacrms.com Ashley Pursell, RMS Admin. Assistant Kim Mitchell, Premium Analyst apursell@arcounties.org kmitchell@aacrms.com

Jenny Evans, Accounting & Program Assistant jevans@arcounties.org

Karen Bell, Program Assistant James Mirus, Member Services Manager kbell@aacrms.com jmirus@arcounties.org

Mark Whitmore, Chief Legal Counsel mwhitmore@arcounties.org Colin Jorgensen, AAC Litigation Counsel cjorgensen@arcounties.org Josh Curtis, Governmental Affairs Director jcurtis@arcounties.org Lindsey French, Legal Counsel lfrench@arcounties.org

Michael Roys, ACE Program Coordinator mroys@arcounties.org

6

COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

AAC

County Lines County Lines [(ISSN 2576-1137 (print) and ISSN 2576-1145 (online)] is the official publication of the AAC. It is published quarterly. For advertising inquiries, subscriptions or other information, please contact Christy L. Smith at 501.372.7550.

Executive Director/Publisher Chris Villines Communications Director/ Managing Editor Christy L. Smith Communications Coordinator/Editor Sarah Perry AAC Executive Board: Debbie Wise – President Brandon Ellison – Vice President Jimmy Hart – Secretary-Treasurer Tommy Young Deanna Sivley Debra Buckner Dana Baker Kevin Cleghorn Terry McNatt Rebecca Talbert Doug Curtis Gerone Hobbs Marty Boyd John Montgomery Heather Stevens Brenda DeShields Selena Blair Bobby Burns National Association of Counties (NACo) Board Affiliations Debbie Wise: NACo board member. She is the Randolph County Circuit Clerk and president of the AAC Board of Directors.

Brandon Ellison: NACo board member. He is the Polk County Judge and vice-president of the AAC Board of Directors.

Ted Harden: Finance & Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee. He is a member of the Jefferson County Quorum Court.

Barry Hyde: Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee.Vice Chair of Transportation Steering Committee. He is the Pulaski County Judge.

Rusty McMillon: Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee. He is the Greene County Judge Kevin Smith: IT Standing Committee. He is the Sebastian County Director of Information Technology Services.

Gerone Hobbs: Membership Committee. He is the Pulaski County Coroner.

Paul Elliott:Vice Chair of Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee, vice chair of law enforcement subcommittee. He is a member of the Pulaski County Quorum Court.

Ellen Foote: Community, Economic & Workforce Development Steering Committee.

She is the Crittenden County Tax Collector.

Tawanna Brown:Telecommunications & Technology Steering Committee. She is the Chief Computer Operator for Crittenden County.

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DIRECTOR’S DESK

County retirement options to be explored at conference

W

ith summer quickly approaching, thoughts turn to that rhythm of the Chris Villines mixture of family, friends and work as AAC Arkansas heads out. Whether it’s vacation, Executive Director association conferences, time at the pool or taking a highlevel look at county operations — you have a summer’s long chance to ponder both personal and professional aspirations.

Reflect quickly, though. Filing deadlines approach earlier this year than expected, thanks to ACT 405 of the 95th Regular Session of the Arkansas Legislature.

Decisions to return to public service are being made and some of you have reached out to me about your soon-to-be announced retirements.

It is always a bittersweet time to learn of a friend’s move into hard-earned retirement, and as they consider it, I am often asked to help county employees understand some of the higher points of Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System (APERS). In a move to help with those of you considering retirement, we have invited APERS and Nationwide Retirement Solutions to present in a breakout at our summer conference in Rogers, Aug. 13-15.

APERS will be there to walk individuals through their estimated calculations of benefits using their compass system. I encourage any of you considering this move to visit with them throughout the conference.

Counties are not afforded the luxury of paying commensurate with job duties — it can be difficult work understanding ever-changing laws on motor vehicle violations, elections, assessed values, millage rate applications etc., but compounding that with the requirement to focus on good service to the citizens of your county raises job complexities to a new level.

Having a defined benefit retirement such as APERS helps make up for that gap in pay … but it only helps. I want to take this opportunity to brag on the director at APERS, Amy Fecher, and her competent staff that walk thousands upon thousands through the complex calculations of time, wages and multipliers to get us there.

Benton County Judge Barry Moehring serves as a county appointee to the APERS Board of Trustees and has quickly learned details about the system that, well frankly, would put many to sleep. On the trustee side they balance benefits with income and growth and provide us with a retirement system that is one of the most well-funded and well-run in the country.

But back to a comment earlier that it only helps … many of you who have served for a while have likely gone to the APERS website and logged in to the COMPASS system. When you look closely at those post-retirement benefits you may have been disappointed when the realization hit that lifestyle changes will have to be significant.

For those of you, like me, with a few more years left on that timeline of employment, let me offer you some hope. Almost every county in Arkansas provides you >>> 7

AAC

DIRECTOR’S DESK

with a 457(b) option. A 457(b), put simply, is the government’s equivalent of the 401(k) retirement savings plans utilized in the private sector. It is tax advantaged, meaning that either contributions or growth (depending on the plan selected) can be tax-free.

I should write a disclaimer here. I may have stayed at a Holiday Inn last night, but I am not the one to explain these tax advantages to you. We are glad to be partnered with Nationwide Retirement Solutions through the National Association of Counties on these services, as are many of your counties. Whether your county uses Nationwide or another vendor, I strongly encourage you to begin — at any age — to deposit a little of your paycheck into your county’s respective retirement partner.

Invested properly — again I’m giving you a disclaimer — the growth can be tremendous. Someone said to me recently that the great thing about these types of investments is that they never quit working for you — 24 hours a day, seven

days a week. Over time your gap between APERS benefits and what you really want in retirement can close significantly with small contributions compounded over time.

To help understand this benefit, we have invited Nationwide Retirement Solutions to the AAC Conference to talk alongside APERS so you can see the full picture, learn about options, and make the wisest decisions for you and your family. As I watch aging parents, I am seeing firsthand the benefits that having enough funds (or not enough) can affect me and my family as we deal with these later years in our lives.

I truly want all county officials and employees to have happy and full careers, and planning for your retirement is a part of this.

We look forward to catching up with all of you in Rogers Aug. 13-15 for the annual AAC Conference. I encourage you to begin reaching out to others in your counties that may have not attended one of our events in the past. Many of our sessions will be extremely beneficial and entertaining.

See you then.

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AAC

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

Juggling county time and duties during a campaign: Always take the high road

H

. L. Mencken, an American journalist, essayist, satirist and cultural critic, said “A political campaign is better than the best circus ever heard of, with a mass baptism and a couple of hangings thrown in.” I sure hope your reelection campaign doesn’t prove him correct. As an elected county official running for re-election you must juggle county time and duties with a campaign.

I remind you that the campaigns get started a little early this election cycle. Act 405 of 2025 amended the law moving the preferential primaries to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March, starting in 2026. That means that the filing period will be in November of this year.

Anyone running for county office should take the high road. Taking the high road includes moral integrity which involves acting with a sense of right and wrong and making choices that align with one’s values, even when it’s difficult. It means acting lawful. So, now is a good time to review some of the do’s and don’ts of a re-election campaign.

Arkansas Code § 7-1-103 provides for the following: The violation of any of the following shall be deemed misdemeanors punishable as provided in this section: • It shall be unlawful for any person to appoint or offer to appoint anyone to any office or position of trust or for any person to influence, attempt to influence, or offer to influence the appointment, nomination, or election of any person to office in consideration of the support or assistance of the person for any candidate in any election in this state.

• It shall be unlawful for any public servant, as defined in § 21-8-402, to devote any time or labor during usual office hours toward the campaign of any other candidate for office or for the nomination to any office.

• It shall be unlawful for any public servant, as defined in § 21-8-402, to circulate an initiative or referendum petition or to solicit signatures on an initiative or referendum petition in any public office of the state, county, or municipal governments of Arkansas or during the usual office hours or while on duty for any state agency or any county or municipal government in Arkansas.

• It shall be unlawful for any public servant, as defined in § 21-8-402, to use any office or room furnished at public expense to distribute any letters, circulars, or other campaign materials unless such office or room is regularly used by members of the public for such purposes without regard to political affiliation. It shall further be unlawful for any public COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

servant to use for campaign purposes any item of personal property provided with public funds.

• It shall be unlawful for DEBBIE WISE any campaign banners, AAC Board President; campaign signs, or other Randolph County Circuit Clerk campaign literature to be placed on any cars, trucks, tractors, or other vehicles belonging to the state of Arkansas or any municipality, county, or school district in the state.

• All articles, statements, or communications appearing in any newspaper printed or circulated in this state intended or calculated to influence the vote of any elector in any election and for the publication of which a consideration is paid or to be paid shall clearly contain the words “Paid Political Advertisement,” “Paid Political Ad,” or “Paid for by” the candidate, committee, or person who paid for the message. Both the persons placing and the persons publishing the articles, statements, or communications shall be responsible for including the required disclaimer.

What I covered is only a fraction of what we must abide by as elected county officials going through a campaign.

In most instances the violation of any provision of § 7-1103 is a Class A misdemeanor. If an elected official is convicted under the provisions of this section, the conviction is deemed a misfeasance and malfeasance in office and the official is subject to removal from office.

So let’s be law abiding in our campaigns and don’t be guilty of a campaign that hits below the belt. In the 1964 U.S. Presidential campaign, Republican Barry Goldwater’s campaign slogan was “In your heart, you know he’s right.”

Goldwater’s opponents came back with the retort slogan “In your guts, you know he’s nuts.” That’s not the kind of county campaigns we want.

Take the high road. That means behaving with moral integrity and grace, even when facing provocation or adversity. It implies choosing a course of action that is honorable, ethical, and less likely to cause harm or anger, even if it’s not the easiest or most immediate path. Essentially, it’s about doing what’s right, rather than resorting to retaliation or negativity.

Debbie Wise Debbie Wise Randolph County Circuit Clerk/AAC Board President 9

AAC

AG OPINIONS

From property taxes to the authority of the Quorum Court to set, appropriate salaries AG OPINION NO. 2024-083

The AG explained that when a taxpayer over the age of 65 has their property taken by eminent domain, they may be entitled to have the property taxes frozen in respect to the new primary residence in accordance with Amendment 79.

However, Amendment 79 does not cap their taxes at the same level as their previous residence.

AG OPINION NO. 2024-084

The Attorney General explained that there is no law directing the sheriffs in Arkansas to pick up, transport or hold prisoners from a federal prison or prison of another state and deliver the state inmate to the Arkansas Department of Corrections (DOC) or Community Corrections. The law was clear from 1968 to 2015 that the duty was upon the Arkansas DOC to transport those prisoners under those circumstances. However, in 2015, an apparent error was made in Act 1171 of 2015, which deleted DOC from that obligation. The elimination of that duty upon the department did not cause a duty to fall upon the sheriffs.

AG OPINION NO. 2024-087

Ark. Code § 1-4-133 requires local school superintendents, local building administrators, chief administrators of the public schools in this state, or institutions of higher education, or their respective designees and the administrative officials of state agencies or their respective designees to conspicuously display the national motto, In God We Trust, the U.S. flag and the Arkansas flag under certain circumstances. The law originally covered only public schools and state agencies but was subsequently amended. The AG opined that county judges were included under the scope of local building administrators. Additionally, the law is to apply to all public buildings and facilities in this state that are maintained or operated by public funds. {Attorney General Opinion No. 2017-101 determined that the law at the time was lawful and constitutional. The AG at the time asserted that the national motto, In God We Trust, the U.S. flag and the Arkansas flag have nothing to do with the establishment of religion or the First Amendment. It is noted that law was amended again during the 2025 regular session of the General Assembly by virtue of SB433, Act 573, to require under certain circumstances conspicuous display of the Ten Commandments. It is further noted that in Stone v.

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Graham, 101 S.Ct. 192 (1980) the U.S. Supreme Court held that that a Kentucky statute was unconstitutional and in Mark Whitmore violation of the Establishment Chief Legal Counsel Clause of the First Amendment, because it lacked a nonreligious, legislative purpose. The statute required the posting of a copy of the Ten Commandments on the wall of each public classroom in the state. The copies of the Ten Commandments were purchased with private funding, but the Court ruled that because they were being placed in public classrooms they were in violation of the First Amendment. A statute similar to Act 573 of 2025 was passed in Louisiana; it was stayed by the U.S. District Court in Louisiana and is on appeal to the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals}.

AG OPINION NO. 2024-088

The AG noted that the State Fire Marshal is responsible for enforcing and periodic revision of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (AFPC). Local jurisdictions may establish a building department or building official to implement and enforce the second volume of the AFPC, which pertains to buildings and structures. The AFPC establishes the minimum level of standards necessary to provide a reasonable level of safety and protection from fire, explosion, or other dangerous conditions. Counties, cities and other political subdivisions may adopt local fire prevention codes that contain more stringent safety provisions than the AFPC. This could include more stringent industry-recognized requirements for commercial construction projects.

AG OPINION NO. 2025-011

The AG underscored the exclusive authority of the Quorum Court, as provided by Amendment 55, to fix the salaries of county officials and county employees and appropriate funds for those salaries. No salaries may be paid until such time as the Quorum Court adopts a budget setting forth the salaries. No official or employee may obtain or receive a salary increase without the Quorum Court setting the salary and appropriating funds for a salary increase. This authority cannot be delegated. A Quorum Court may adopt, amend or repeal an appropriation ordinance including a budget schedule or portions of a county budget ordinance.

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AAC

RESEARCH CORNER

Lithium lift-off: How Act 1012 will empower Arkansas counties

O

ver 70 years before our state adopted its current nickname — the Natural State — in 19951, our General Assembly underlined Arkansas’ internationally recognized “mineral wealth,” “vast forests supplying pine and hardwoods,” and “agricultural and horticultural prowess” by proclaiming Arkansas the “Wonder State.”2 At the time, agriculturalists were expanding beyond the cotton industry and beginning to produce tomatoes, peaches, and grapes;3 and our mountains were rich with an “alphabetical gamut” of minerals, from asphalt and barite to uranium and zinc.4 Given its wealth of riches — both known and unknown — “Wonder State” was and is a fitting name for these 53,000 square miles of land adorning America’s South Central region.

Since the early 1900s, Arkansas’ abundance of resources has highlighted not only the state’s natural beauty, but also the vast economic opportunity it enables. Accordingly, the Wonder State has been attracting individuals and companies desiring to extract, or “sever,” its natural resources for decades. As early as 1947, Arkansas has levied “severance taxes” on those who sever valuable renewable and non-renewable resources for commercial purposes.5 On top of the volume-based tax rates Act 136 of 1947 imposed on certain natural resources such as oil and natural gas, Section 2(h) of the Act levied a 5 percent value-based tax on 10 other natural resources (e.g., diamonds, iron ore, and salt) and on natural products not yet identified.6 Over time, most of the value-based taxes were replaced with flat, more predictable volume-based tax rates.

The imposition of these severance taxes greatly expanded the state’s general revenues, and a portion of that revenue even went back to the counties from which the natural resources were severed. Between July 2023 and April 2024, severance taxes have brought in over $17 million in revenue.7

The Salt-Water Brine Boom

Prior to the national oil boom in the 1920s, several counties in southern Arkansas were already producing oil.8 To their annoyance, producers would often discover their oil supplies tainted with subsurface salt water called “brine” that needed to be separated. “Early oil drillers found the brine to be a nuisance, but within a few decades, they realized the brine could be much more.”9 As it turned out, that brine, located 2 miles beneath the surface of Arkansas in the Smackover formation,10 contained valuable bromine that could be COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

utilized in insect and fungus sprays; disinfectants; dyes; hair-care products; and, mostcommonly, flame retardants Anthony Bennett used in your clothes, furniture, 11 AAC Law Clerk and electronics. By 2013, over a quarter of the global bromine supply came from Arkansas.

In 1971, the first severance tax was levied on brine “used as source raw materials for bromine” and on “other products derived from” such brine.12 By this time, no natural resource was specifically taxed based on market value, but the 5 percent value-based tax was still reserved for “all other natural resources not otherwise specifically identified ...”13 Currently, brine severed from the ground for bromine production is taxed at a total rate of $2.75 per thousand barrels.14 When “the same [brine] used in the bromine production” is used to extract something other than bromine, it is taxed again at the same rate.15

New Minerals and New Opportunities

Lithium is a light metal naturally present in brine,16 used in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, smartphones, hearing aids, and laptops. Over the past five years, the demand for lithium has surged — growing more than 300 percent.

South Arkansas, with its bromine- and lithium-rich brine deposits, is uniquely positioned in this emerging market.

Researchers estimate up to 19 million tons of lithium lie beneath our feet.

Since 2018, the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission has permitted at least four companies to create pilot plants in Union, Columbia, and Lafayette counties, where brine from existing bromine production plants (tail-brine) is reprocessed for the purpose of lithium extraction.17 18 Through a method called “Direct Lithium Extraction,” companies are able to extract lithium from brine and tail brine, then reinject the brine into subsurface aquifers.19 In testing the commercial viability of lithium production in Arkansas, one such company has processed over 15 million gallons of tail-brine to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate.20 21

See “LITHIUM” on Page 14 > > >

13

AAC

RESEARCH CORNER

LITHIUM

Continued From Page 13 < < <

Act 1012 of 2025

On April 22, 2025, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Senate Bill 568 into law. The new law — Act 1012 of 2025 — creates incentives that will encourage lithium production in Arkansas. Some incentives include income tax credits and rebates for sales and use taxes. These incentives are available to companies that make an investment of at least $100 million into the Arkansas economy.

Act 1012 was championed by Arkansas State Sen. Steve Crowell and Rep. Lane Jean, who represent Senate District 3 and House District 99, respectively, in South Arkansas.22 “Act 1012 creates an opportunity for us to attract new investment to our state, create high-wage jobs for Arkansans, and help rural and underserved communities tap into the global energy-storage industry,” said Sen. Crowell. “Counties will enjoy not only job growth, but also stronger infrastructure. It’s the kind of forward-looking, practical policy that puts locals first while positioning Arkansas for a strong economic future.”

By incentivizing lithium development here in Arkansas, county governments benefit from job creation, economic diversification, and the potential for stronger public-private partnerships. On top of that, counties in South Arkansas may expect to see an increase in road funding under Act 1012, which gives counties a larger share of severance tax revenue — specifically for the improvement of county roads and infrastructure. Columbia County Judge Doug Fields is already optimistic about the impact of Act 1012.

“I am very pleased with Senator Steve Crowell and Representative Lane Jean and their due diligence and efforts to help provide the Counties in his district with the potential to earn more revenue for our road infrastructure,” Judge Fields said.

“Act 1012 will be a great incentive for companies to come in and set up business here in Columbia County. This will also be a big aid in bringing in jobs and hopefully more economic development for our community. The added revenue will See “LITHIUM” on Page 16 > > >

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AAC

RESEARCH CORNER

LITHIUM

Continued From Page 14 < < <

be a great resource to add to our road budget to help us to continue on road repairs and maintenance issues here in Columbia County.”

Conclusion

Act 1012 is more than a tax incentive; it’s a strategic signal to a rising global industry that Arkansas is ready to lead in the energy market. For counties, Act 1012 offers a rare opportunity to harness natural resources in a way that builds local wealth, strengthens communities, and prepares for the future. With the right planning, collaboration, and support, counties can turn lithium into not just an export, but a foundation for the next era of prosperity here in the Wonder State.

1.

2.

3.

Sources

Arkansas Act 1352 of 1995.

Arkansas Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2 of 1923.

“Agriculture in Arkansas: History,” BUTLER CENTER FOR ARKANSAS STUDIES, http://bc-digital. org/agriculture-in-arkansas/history.html.

4. C.G. Hall, Arkansas: A Guide to the State, (1941).

5. Arkansas Act 136 of 1947.

6. Id. at 2(h) 7. Of this total, about $10.5 million is levied from oil producers, $2.2 million from natural gas producers, $3.2 million from timber producers, $0.5 million from bromine producers, and $1.5 million come from minerals and other natural resources.

8. Kenneth Bridges, “Oil Industry,” ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ARKANSAS, https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/ entries/oil-industry-383/. Oil-producing counties originally included Union, Lafayette, Columbia, and Ouachita counties. Today, Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Hempstead, Miller, and Nevada counties also produce oil.

9. “Albemarle’s Roots Run Deep in Magnolia, Arkansas,” ALBEMARLE, (Oct. 30, 2024), https://www. albemarle.com/us/en/news/albemarles-roots-run-deepmagnolia-arkansas.

10. The Jurassic-era Smackover formation is a subsurface area spanning hundreds of miles beneath south Arkansas, northeast Texas, and North Louisiana. See Jack H. Vestal, “Petroleum Geology of the Smackover Formation of Southern Arkansas,” ARKANSAS GEOLOGICAL COMMISSION, (1950), at 6, https://www. geology.arkansas.gov/docs/pdf/publication/information-circulars/IC-14-Smackover.pdf.

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11. “General Information Regarding Brine in Arkansas,” ARKANSAS OFFICE OF THE STATE GEOLOGIST, https://www.geology.arkansas.gov/energy/brinein-arkansas.html.

12. Arkansas Act 147 of 1971, § 1 (h-2). (About a decade later, the tax was increased 22.5 percent to $2.45. Act 874 of 1983.)

13. Id. at (h-3).

14. Ark. Code Ann. §§ 26-58-111(9), -301(b)(1), and -302(b)(1).

15. See Ark. Code Ann. § 26-58-111(9).

16. Bruce Lindsey, Many Americans May Be Drinking Groundwater with High Levels of Lithium, U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, Feb. 11, 2021, https://www. usgs.gov/news/lithium-us-groundwater.

17. Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission Order No. 0572018-10 (authorizing a Pilot Plant in Union County).

See also Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission Order Nos. 088-2021-10, 092-2022-12, and 058-2023-08 (extending authorization for the Pilot Plant in Union County); and Order No. BU 022-1-2023-04 (authorizing brine production in Columbia and Lafayette counties).

18. At least one company is hoping to develop lithiumproduction facilities in Miller County, as well. Ainsley Platt, “Arkansas Advocate: Companies file application for lithium brine unit; royalties come next,” ARKANSAS ADVOCATE, (Apr. 4, 2024), https:// arkadelphian.com/2025/04/04/arkansas-advocatecompanies-file-application-for-lithium-brine-unitroyalties-come-next/.

19. Tyler C. Gillespie, “Property and Energy Law—Pay to Play: The Effect of the Brine Conservation Act’s Statutory ‘In-Lieu’ Royalty Provision on the LongTerm Economic Viability of Arkansas’ Brine-Lithium Industry,” 46 U. ARK. LITTLE ROCK L. REV. 613, 625–26 (2024).

20. Standard Lithium Provides Comprehensive Results of Its Fully Optimized and Proven DLE Process, STANDARD LITHIUM LTD., (Nov. 20, 2023), https://www.standardlithium.com/investors/news-events/press-releases/ detail/162/.

21. Standard Lithium receives bromine-free tail-brine from LANXESS Corporation in Union County, Arkansas.

22. Senate District 3 includes Clark, Columbia, Lafayette and Nevada counties; as well as parts of Hot Spring, Hempstead, and Pike counties COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

AAC

SEEMS TO ME...

To lobby or not to lobby?

That is the question

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o lobby or not to lobby, that is the question!

Well, that’s really not the question. The question is, “Do you understand your association’s right to lobby?” Lobbying is often misinterpreted or criticized as bribery or worse. But it’s not … at least in most cases. It never was, never is, and never will be with the Association of Arkansas Counties.

The AAC does not hand out political campaign donations.

Sure, we could form a Political Action Committee (PAC), but we never have and have no plans to. We don’t want to get into the “politics” of lobbying. We only want to provide good information on both good and bad bills concerning county government. We want only to be servants of those for whom we work — the elected county officials in the state of Arkansas.

Legislation was proposed in the 2025 legislative session aimed at keeping the AAC from advocating on behalf of county government at the state Capitol. The bill did not receive enough votes to get out of committee, but it did have some support. Frankly, I don’t understand that philosophy and will lay out a case for our continued right to advocate on behalf of Arkansas counties.

Articles of Incorporation for AAC were filed April 10, 1968, and we became the official voice of and recognized as the official agency and representative of Arkansas counties before the state and federal governments with the passage of Act 92 of 1969. The overall purpose of the AAC is to work for the improvement of county government in the state of Arkansas. That charge in and of itself requires advocating for good county government policy and opposing bad policy for county operations.

Whether to engage in lobbying depends on various factors, including the organization’s mission, goals, and legal standing. Lobbying or advocating, which involves attempting to influence legislation or policy decisions, is a legitimate way to advocate for change. Sure, it also can raise ethical considerations and potential risks, particularly regarding transparency and the influence of special interests. Let’s talk about that.

Lobbying is a legitimate and a constitutionally protected right to petition the government and is legal in the United States. It allows individuals and groups to express their views and advocate for their interest on policy issues.

Lobbying can be viewed as unethical if it prioritizes special interests over the public good or if it relies on undue influence or corruption. Transparency in lobbying activities and addressing potential conflicts of interest are crucial for upholding ethical standards. Our standard at the AAC is to tell 18

the truth and to never advocate for or against any legislation that does not affect county government. Our only area of lobbying Eddie A. Jones is for or against proposed legislaCounty Consultant tion that affects county government operations.

Lobbying is beneficial for Arkansas counties. The AAC is owned and governed by the counties of Arkansas, and the elected county officials work together to achieve desired policy outcomes and help ensure that diverse voices and perspectives are heard in the policymaking process as it relates to county government.

It is true that lobbying can be misused by powerful interests to exert undue influence on policymakers, potentially leading to policies that favor those interests at the expense of the public good. Undue influence, normally in the form of money, is not in the arsenal of AAC. As mentioned earlier, we intentionally avoid the use of campaign contributions to legislators so there is not even an inkling of impropriety.

Organizations such as the AAC must be aware of and comply with relevant lobbying laws and regulations. This includes disclosing expenditures and avoiding conflicts of interest.

Our reports are filed in a timely manner in accordance with Arkansas Constitutional provisions and state statute.

The legality of lobbying comes from the U.S. Constitution and from our constitutional republic. Often overlooked in the many rights protected by the First Amendment is the right to lobby. While never expressly using the term “lobby,” the right “to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” is specifically noted. This translates in modern times as a right to lobby.

Lobbying is an important lever for a productive government. Without it, governments would struggle to sort out the many, many competing interests of their citizens. Fortunately, lobbying provides access to government legislators, acts as an education tool, and allows county issues and interests to gain power in numbers, including AAC policy staff and hundreds of county elected officials.

By grouping individual goals together into a lobbying aim, AAC represents the interest of many elected government officials. AAC was formed by county officials in the 1960s and continues to be governed and directed by county officials.

The AAC is the umbrella organization for nine county associations. Those nine associations represent the offices of county judge, county clerk, circuit clerk, assessor, collector, sheriff, treasurer, coroner and justices of the peace (Quorum COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

AAC

SEEMS TO ME...

Court). The AAC is governed by an 18-member board of activities, even though not an essential governmental funcdirectors — two members from each of the nine affiliate astion. There are, of course, restrictions and guidelines for sociations. The board of directors hires the executive eirector lobbying by a government instrumentality … and the AAC of AAC, and the executive director hires other AAC staff adheres to those. members. Lobbying is actually only a small part of the work As mentioned earlier, the AAC has a § 115 government for which the AAC is responsible. That duty just happens to instrumentality designation. We are referenced no fewer be the subject of this article. than 28 times in Arkansas Code Annotated. We are found in The AAC is formed as a private non-profit corporation, Title 12 [Law Enforcement, Emergency Management]; Title and a large percentage of our funding comes through the 14 [Local Government]; Title 15 [Natural Resources and various services and programs developed for Arkansas’ 75 Economic Development]; Title 16 [Practice, Procedure, and counties. AAC is recognized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Courts]; Title 19 [Public Finance]; Title 20 [Public Health Service (IRS) as an instrumentality of government under 26 and Welfare]; Title 21 [Public Officers and Employees]; Title U.S.C. § 115.

22 [Public Property]; Title 24 [Retirement and Pensions]; A § 115 government instrumentality is an entity closely and Title 26 [Taxation]. Everything seems to point to the fact affiliated with a division of government. In our case, county that the AAC is allowed by law to lobby on behalf of county government. Key chargovernment. acteristics of a governIn fact, the associament instrumentality tion was the defendant overnment officials are expected as a part of the in a taxpayer’s suit for are: (1) closely linked to the government, injunction and declarademocratic process to represent and to espouse tory relief 48 years ago. often through ownership or control, but The suit sought to the views of a majority of their constituents.

With maintain a degree of inprohibit the counties of dependence; (2) serve a Arkansas from concountless advocates outside of government seeking to tributing public funds public purpose and are not primarily driven by to the association. In influence its policy, it would be ironic if those charged profit; and (3) subject a final decree of the to government regulacourt by Chancellor with making governmental decisions were not free to James Chestnutt, dated tion and oversight, but do not wield governOct. 10, 1977, Act 92 speak themselves in the process. mental powers. of 1969 [§ 14-20-107] According to the — U.S. Supreme Court and the activities of the IRS, a government inassociation were found strumentality is an orto be constitutional. ganization created by or The final decree repursuant to state statute and operated for public purposes. A moved any contingent liability regarding the constitutionality wholly-owned instrumentality of a political subdivision, such of the financial participation of the counties in the AAC. as the AAC, is treated as a state or local government employer With respect to state law, lobbying is controlled by the for purposes of Social Security and Medicare provisions and Disclosure Act for Lobbyists and State and Local Officials public pension plans. An organization does not simply get a codified in Arkansas Code Annotated as §21-8-401 et seq. § 115 designation by asking for it. There are strict rules for The Disclosure Act specifically contemplates the expenditure approval of instrumentality status. of public funds for lobbying activities by public officials.

Here are a few examples of government instrumentalities.

With AAC being recognized as an instrumentality of governAt the federal level: Federal National Mortgage Association ment, lobbying activity undertaken by AAC may be analyzed (Fannie Mae); Government National Mortgage Association as “government speech” protected by the U.S. Constitution.

(Ginnie Mae); Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation The U.S. Supreme Court has said in several cases, “Govern(Freddie Mac); and the Federal Reserve. At the state level: Ar- ment officials are expected as a part of the democratic process kansas Information Network and the Arkansas Development to represent and to espouse the views of a majority of their Finance Authority. And government instrumentalities for lo- constituents. With countless advocates outside of the govcal governments: the Arkansas Municipal League (1934) and ernment seeking to influence its policy, it would be ironic if the Association of Arkansas Counties (1968). those charged with making governmental decisions were not Yes, an instrumentality of government can lobby. The IRS considers lobbying activities to be a substantial part of their See “LOBBY” on Page 25 > > >

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AAC

LEGAL CORNER

League of Women Voters sues Secretary of State to prevent enforcement of laws related to signature gathering for citizen-led petitions

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ess than one month after the Regular Session of the 95th Arkansas General Assembly adjourned, a lawsuit was filed challenging several of the acts passed affecting the ability of citizens to place citizen-led initiatives on the ballot for a statewide election. Plaintiffs bringing the lawsuit are the League of Women Voters of Arkansas, a self-described “nonpartisan, nonprofit, membership organization” dedicated to “promoting civic engagement and protecting democracy” with 300 members across the state; Save AR Democracy, an Arkansas ballot question committee that has organized a citizen-led, statewide signature-gathering effort for the November 2026 general election; and two Arkansas residents who are members of both organizations.

They are suing Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester in his official capacity as the chief elections officer of the state, seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to prohibit Secretary Jester from enforcing these acts. Additionally, Plaintiffs challenge four previously enacted Arkansas statutes, dating back to 2013. The suit alleges that the “General Assembly now has enacted at least ten Acts that in some way impact the initiative and referendum process … in order to ensure that no Arkansas citizen can exercise their constitutional right to employe measures to make laws.” They argue that the acts individually and cumulatively violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and Article 5, Section 1 of the Arkansas Constitution.

The latter provision reserves to Arkansas citizens the “power to propose legislative measures, laws, and amendments to the Constitution, and to enact or reject the same at the polls independent of the General Assembly.” Section 1 goes on to say “No law shall be passed to prohibit any person or persons from giving or receiving compensation for circulating petitions, nor to prohibit the circulation of petitions, nor in any manner interfering with the freedom of the people in procuring petitions … No legislation shall be enacted to restrict, hamper or impair the exercise of the rights herein reserved to the people.”

Plaintiffs argue the acts also violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution because gathering signatures for petitions is “core political speech.” The complaint alleges that Acts 218, 240, 241, 274 and 453 of 2025 “individually and cumulatively, impose severe burdens on the Plaintiffs’ ability to petition and engage in core political speech. These regulations are not narrowly tailored and do not advance any compelling state interest,” and should therefore be struck down by the court.

• Act 218 requires a canvasser to disclose to a potential petition signer that petition fraud is a criminal offense.

• Act 240 mandates that a canvasser view a photo ID of the potential petition signer before allowing them to 20

sign a petition.

• Act 241 requires that a canvasser file an affidavit with the Secretary of State swearLINDSEY FRENCH ing that they have complied General Counsel with Arkansas law related to signature-gathering. It also prohibits a canvasser who has filed the affidavit from collecting signatures unless the Secretary of State has determined that the sponsor of the petition is eligible for amendment under Article 5, Section 1 of the Arkansas Constitution.

• Act 274 requires that a potential signer, prior to signing a petition, must read the ballot title or have the ballot title read aloud to them.

• Act 453 requires paid canvassers to be residents of Arkansas as well as domiciled in Arkansas.

The complaint also states that provisions of previously existing Arkansas Code should be struck down as violating the U.S. and Arkansas Constitutions. § 7-9-601 and § 7-9-103 provide that a person may not act as a paid canvasser until after the sponsor of the petition has submitted a report to the Secretary of State. The report includes a list of all paid canvassers’ names, residential addresses, and a sworn statement from the paid canvassers that they have not been found or plead guilty to any disqualifying offenses.

Disqualifying offenses include all felonies and fifteen other offenses involving violence, dishonest criminal activity, or crimes against property. § 7-9-601 also prohibits a canvasser from being paid based on how many signatures they gather. § 7-9-113 requires a statewide petition sponsor to reimburse the Secretary of State for publication costs associated with the petition. Plaintiffs allege that the state of Arkansas should pay the cost of publications for the gathering of signatures for citizen-driven initiatives.

Plaintiffs argue that these existing statutes individually and cumulatively violate their rights to petition for direct democracy under Arkansas Constitution Article 5, Section 1 and the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

The lawsuit was filed in the Western District of the United States District Court because there are allegations of federal constitutional violations, so the case will ultimately be decided by the federal district court and possibly federal appellate courts rather than any high court of the state of Arkansas. A motion to intervene was filed by For AR Kids and Protect AR Rights, which was opposed by both the Plaintiffs and the Secretary of State. At the time this article was written, the Secretary of State has filed an answer generally denying the Plaintiffs’ claims, and no ruling has been made on the proposed intervenors’ motion.

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AAC

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GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

95th General Assembly wrap-up

he regular session of the 95th General Assembly officially adjourned sine die May 5, 2025. There were 1,696 bills and joint resolutions filed between the House and Senate. Of those, 560 related to county government. And 312 of those were signed into law. The AAC legislative package, which includes bills from all nine associations, consisted of 29 bills. Twenty-six were passed, resulting in a nearly 90 percent passing rate.

AAC Executive Director Chris Villines recently said, “Sessions are like a big tornado.” He then turned to me and asked what size of a tornado hit us this session. I compared this session to a bunch of EF0 and EF1 tornadoes. There wasn’t just one bill that made a big splash or one that caused irreparable damage. There were tons of bills that we had to tinker with and or educate legislators about.

AAC staff recently presented the “Index of Acts” in front of a crowd of about 120 elected officials and staff. We talked for hours about bills that passed and how they will affect counties.

For every bill we talked about passing, we could have talked about two that we killed or amended. Your AAC policy staff worked tirelessly to protect counties from bad legislation and to make bills better. I know most associations will be meeting in June, and your liaison and leadership will be talking even more in depth about the new laws.

I am sure everyone by now has heard the Governor and the legislature eliminated the state grocery tax, which has about a $10.9 million fiscal impact to the state. HB1685, now Act 1008, passed with only two legislators voting against it. There was some confusion early in the session regarding the first drafts that potentially could have removed the ability for counties to collect sales tax on groceries. The AAC worked with the sponsors, DFA, the Governor’s office, and bond attorneys to make sure counties could continue collecting sales tax.

SB392 by Sen. Breanne Davis and Rep. John Maddox is now Act 499. This significantly changes pay rates for state employees. Governments are known for underpaying employees because most of the time the revenue is not there for big pay increases. The state turnover rate is about 20 percent, and the legislature decided it was time to reduce that number. They hired a consultant to study labor market rates so the state could be competitive with the private sector. This new pay schedule will provide pay increases for about 16,000 state employees, provide career advancement opportunities, as well as student loan assistance. The initial price tag for all the increases is $139 million.

HB2003, now Act 1014, passed with 91 yeas in the House and 34 yeas in the Senate. This bill is known as the Revenue Stabilization Law, which funds the next fiscal year budget.

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Historically legislators prioritize funding using categories. Category B would not be funded until Category A was completely funded. This year all funding is in Category A, which means everything should be fully funded.

Josh Curtis Arkansas must have a balanced Governmental Affairs budget every year; the state canDirector not deficit spend like the federal government does. The 2026 fiscal year state budget will go up by 2.9 percent, with noticeable increases in foster care, juvenile facilities, maternal health and educational freedom accounts.

You may also hear about the big surplus the state has most years. Even with all the tax cuts and conservative forecasting, the surplus continues to exist. SB636 swept all the remaining balances in certain funds, including the surplus, into the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund and made them available for the Restricted Reserve Fund Set-Aside. This uncodified language allocated revenue to the set-aside funds listed below: • State Captive Insurance Program Trust Fund: $136 million • Medicaid Sustainability: $100 million • Children’s Educational Freedom Account: $90 million • Educational Facilities: $46 million • General Discretionary Majority Vote: $45 million • Teacher Academy Scholarship: $12 million • Motor vehicle: $4.7 million • Economic stimulus programs: $50 million • School for the Deaf and Blind: $35 million • State capitol HVAC upgrade: $9.1 million • Economic Development Incentive Quick Action Closing Fund: $25 million • Major Historic Rehabilitation Trust Fund: $20 million This is one-time money not guaranteed to be there each year. Most of these agencies have an appropriation bill that allows them to spend this one-time money.

The legislature listened to counties and did the right thing for the most part, but one major appropriation bill did not pass. County jails are housing about 2,000 state inmates. With the passage of the Protect Arkansas Act from the 2023 session, this number will increase. Arkansas must build a new state prison; the prison funding bill lacked a few votes making it out of the Senate. Whether it is in a fiscal session or a special session, it should be priority No. 1. We cannot wait until 2027 to start building a new prison. Continue talking to your legislators about this issue.

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AAC

RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES

PLRA and detainee grievance procedures

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ost sheriffs and other elected officials are well aware of the constantly rising trend of pro se civil rights lawsuits being filed by detainees about the conditions of their confinement in county jails. These suits are largely based upon a federal statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which provides an individual cause of action for money damages against any person who, while they are employed by a government agency and “acting under the color of state law,” deprives another person of their constitutional or federal statutory rights. In the early 1990s, Congress adopted the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) in 1996, codified at 42 U.S.C. § 1997e, as a guard rail to limit the proliferation of these cases. One of the protections in the PLRA is triggered by a detainee’s failure to utilize the grievance procedures available in the detention facility.

Under this portion of the PLRA, a detainee must “properly exhaust all available administrative remedies” inside the jail, including any available administrative appeal, before he/she may file a § 1983 lawsuit. Federal courts have explained that to properly exhaust, detainees must complete the administrative review process in accordance with the applicable procedural rules of the facility. The level of detail necessary in a grievance varies from county to county and from claim to claim, but it is the jail’s grievance procedures, and not federal statutory or case law, that determine the steps to properly exhaust administrative remedies. The courts find that a prisoner’s remedies are exhausted when he pursues the prison’s grievance procedure to its final stage and receives an adverse decision on the merits. This exhaustion requirement applies to all claims related to the detention facility, not just conditions of confinement. For instance, if a detainee alleges that officers used excessive force against him, but did not exhaust the grievance process about that claim, the detainee has failed to properly exhaust administrative remedies and the case is subject to dismissal by the court. This is a defense we explore in every case regarding events or conditions in the jails.

We are here to help when § 1983 lawsuits are inevitably filed about events or conditions in your jail. The availability of the exhaustion defense in cases filed against your county is exclusively within your control. What is required for exhaustion is completely based on what your policy requires. Look at your current grievance policy/procedure and make sure you are not waiving this valuable defense.

Here are a few simple things you can do now to help us help

you in these cases in the future: First, adopt a detailed Grievance Procedure with mandatory appeal language. The best grievance procedures require at least three steps: (1) informal resolution, such as verbal request JaNan Thomas to staff; (2) a timely formal RMS General written grievance identifying Counsel the names of the staff involved and describing the incident in detail; and (3) a mandatory appeal of an adverse decision.

We have taken the guesswork out of this for you by drafting a Model Grievance Procedure, which we encourage you to adopt if you have not already done so.

Second, communicate the new/updated Grievance Procedure to staff and to detainees (e.g., via an updated Inmate Handbook) and make it readily available to detainees (on the kiosk, if possible).

Third, follow your Grievance Procedure faithfully. Reject incomplete or untimely grievances or appeals and do not answer them on the merits.

Fourth, be sure to provide a written response to grievances.

Grievances that are closed with notations from staff such as “we will talk to you about this” have survived motions seeking dismissal because the courts are finding the detainees had “nothing to appeal.” If you are unsure about how to respond to a particular situation or grievance, please reach out to me, and I will help you with suggestions on how to respond.

It may seem tedious to adopt and follow detailed grievance procedures, especially when most grievances raise relatively minor matters. However, taking the time to implement, follow, and enforce grievance procedures will save you time and energy and money on federal civil rights litigation from detainees.

If you are ever served with paperwork related to a § 1983 lawsuit, please immediately scan and email it to me at jthomas@arcounties.org. I will review the case for coverage, and then assign covered cases to litigation counsel for defense.

Our AAC-RMS Litigation department and our outside attorneys have decades of experience defending § 1983 lawsuits filed by detainees against county jails and correctional facilities. If you have any questions for me or I can help you in any way, please feel free to email me or call me at (501) 376-6253.

Follow us on Facebook @75ARcounties for the latest county news.

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AAC

LITIGATION LESSONS Ode to the AAC fishpond

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reetings! I don’t have an exciting topic in constitutional law or the courts for you today.

My sincerest apology to the 10 percent of folks who love that stuff as I do. Five percent of folks? In any event, I continue to welcome and encourage county officials to contact me if you believe there is a court case or potential case that AAC should investigate and consider for county representation through AAC. For more details about that, see my article in the Summer 2024 issue of the County Lines.

In this edition of the County Lines, I offer you an ode to the AAC fishpond.

What fishpond, you say? The fishpond in the courtyard!

The courtyard across the hall from the big conference room and restrooms at the AAC. Here’s the thing. Even if you have visited the AAC many times over the years, perhaps even gazed out at the courtyard as you made yourself a lunch plate, many times, across many years, you may not know about the AAC fishpond. I say this because I’ve been litigating for counties at the AAC since 2017, and I only “discovered” the fishpond in the spring of 2022.

There were no fish in the pond when I discovered it in 2022. The pond was full of deleterious muck, and overgrown by the two holly trees that border the pond in the flowerbed.

But I immediately knew this pond had a history, and I hoped it could also have a future beyond deleterious muck.

The 3 foot-by-8-foot rectangular pond was originally constructed with a pump in the bottom center and pipes running into and up the courtyard wall to a ledge mounted to the top of the wall — a waterfall feature. Sadly, the original pump is long gone (and so are the specs), so the waterfall feature will remain a thing of the past.

The good news is, when I approached AAC Executive Director Chris Villines and requested permission to clean the muck out of the pond and turn it into a maintained fishpond, he looked at me like I was insane but granted the request. So, I cleaned out the muck and installed a new pump with a fountain (not connected to the pipes). I obtained some water plants and a batch of small shubunkin goldfish, and we’ve had an AAC fishpond ever since May 2022.

The best news of all: the AAC fishpond is glorious.

Shubunkin goldfish are a breed of “fancy” goldfish, which means they are colorful and have big fancy fins, but they are tough as nails just like basic goldfish. They are voracious eaters but can survive just fine even if they aren’t fed over the weekend or all winter. The AAC shubunkin goldfish even survived a winter where the temperature hovered around 0 degrees for days and the pond froze over completely, including the fountain, which froze into a large ice ball above the frozen pond. When the pond finally thawed, 24

the goldfish were alive. Tough as nails. I’ve since obtained a heater that prevents the pond from freezing over.

The AAC fishpond is loaded with life beyond the shubunkin Colin Jorgensen goldfish. There are arrow plants Litigation Counsel from Crooked Creek (Marion County) that sprout and rise above the surface every spring.

At times, the pond has water lilies, water lettuce, and/or duckweed floating on the surface. And year-round, below the surface, there is an elodea forest that provides oxygen and shelter for the fish and helps control algae. The underwater elodea forest is also the perfect environment for the hundreds (thousands?) of tree frog tadpoles that inhabit the pond in the spring. In the corners of the rectangular pond, spiders build webs. Perhaps when nobody is around, a spider tells the shubunkin that they are radiant, spinning the word into her web like E.B. White’s Charlotte.

I invite you to check out the AAC fishpond the next time you’re around. Even if ponds aren’t your thing, you should give this one a gander. And you should consider the possibility that ponds are your thing.

Think about how goldfish have a 10-second memory (according to Ted Lasso). They live entirely in the moment.

What must that be like? The answer is right there in the AAC fishpond.

See if you can find a spider web, then see if you can find the spider who built that web. You’ll have to look closely — long-jawed orb weavers are so long and slender that they can practically hide behind a single strand of web. They are majestic, yet practically invisible.

If it’s the right time of year, see if you can find a tadpole in the pond. They are very hard to find, but that makes it more glorious when you see one. If you see a tadpole, congratulate the tadpole for making it this far, and for the journey to come.

No matter the time of year, listen to the sound of the running water from the fountain. This is undoubtedly the greatest feature of the AAC fishpond, or any pond. Water.

According to Herman Hesse, listening to the river taught Siddhartha how to listen with an open heart, and that was the key to his spiritual transformation.

According to Kahlil Gibran, “In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans.”

Even a humble Mark Twain acknowledged that “High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water.”

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LOBBYING free to speak themselves in the process.” [Re: Keller v. State Bar of California; Board of Regents of University of Wisconsin v. Southworth; NRA of America v. Maria T. Vullo] Lobbying is much like working a Rubik’s Cube. The endgame often looks simple, but aligning all the colors can be an intricate process. Success emerges from assembling a broad coalition in support of a bill’s enactment or coalescing a critical mass of opposition so that a bill is defeated.

The AAC performs this function for and with the elected county officials of Arkansas. That’s right — county officials of Arkansas do not work for us; we work for them. Every bill filed on behalf of AAC is part of the county government package of bills that has been vetted and presented by the membership of each of the AAC affiliate associations. Those bills are then vetted by the AAC Legislative Committee made up of elected county officials. The bills that make it through the AAC Legislative Committee are then vetted and either approved or not by the AAC Board of Directors composed of county elected officials.

Continued From Page 19 < < <

To lobby or not to lobby — that is the question. The answer for the AAC is “to lobby.” A circuit court ruled in 1977 that AAC’s right to exist and to lobby and for the counties of Arkansas to contribute public funds to AAC is constitutional.

AAC’s designation and recognition as a § 115 government instrumentality provides us the right to lobby, as does the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Are there perimeters within which we must remain in our lobbying efforts? Absolutely. And we do. We lobby for or against only those things that affect county government.

Lobbying is an integral part of a modern participatory government and is legally protected. Lobbying is an inherent need for participation in our democratic environment. I get it … What do you call 100 lobbyists at the bottom of the ocean? A good start … is funny and a relatively good depiction of how most people view lobbyists and the work they do, especially as it relates to the money involved. But today, maybe just today, you can give a nod to the good lobbyists for getting a good job done.

44th Annual State Peace Officers’ Memorial Day Service

Above: Benton County Deputy Joshua Sumler, Benton County Detective Johnathan Medina, Washington County Deputy Justin Cox and Washington County Deputy William Reynolds bow their heads in prayer at the beginning of the 44th Annual State Peace Officers’ Memorial Day Service May 7 at the Arkansas State Capitol.

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Above: Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer recognizes Polk County Deputy Charles Kirkland, who was killed in the line of duty on May 24, 1918, while he was attempting to arrest several men for draft dodging. Kirkland left behind his wife, Sallie Jane Kirkland and five children. Sawyer said while attending last year’s memorial service, he noticed that Kirkland was not listed on the state memorial.

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AAC

FEATURE

President Trump approves major disaster declaration WASHINGTON — FEMA announced on May 23 that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Arkansas to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from April 2–22, 2025.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Clark, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Desha, Fulton, Hot Spring, Jackson, Miller, Ouachita, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Sharp, St. Francis and White counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available to state, tribal, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Clark, Clay, Craighead, Cross, Dallas, Desha, Fulton, Greene, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Izard,

Jackson, Lafayette, Lawrence, Lee, Little River, Lonoke, Marion, Miller, Monroe, Montgomery, Nevada, Newton, Pike, Poinsett, Prairie, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Scott, Searcy, Sevier, Sharp, St. Francis Stone and Woodruff counties.

Roland W. Jackson has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas should first file claims with their insurance providers and then apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service.

— Courtesy of FEMA press release

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COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

The NACo High Performance Leadership HPLA uses an innovative, interactive online learning platform that combines real-time webinars, recorded county – saving money and maximizing time.

THE ACADEMY FOCUSES ON FIVE ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

LEAD:

ORGANIZE:

COLLABORATE:

DELIVER:

COMMUNICATE:

Engage teams and stakeholders to foster positive climates and exceed common expectations

Plan, lead and execute organizational change more

Establish alignment and strong partnerships through building stronger relationships

Measure projects and processes to deliver results aligned with county and community priorities

Create clarity, confidence and community

consistently

The NACo High Performance Leadership Academy empowers frontline county government professionals with fundamental, practical leadership skills to deliver results for counties and residents.

NACo Member County cost per enrollee begins at $1,995.

Additional discounts may apply. Contact us for more details.

With a curriculum developed by General Colin Powell and public and private sector leaders, NACo High Performance Leadership Academy gives students the opportunity to learn from world-class faculty. All content is guided by an expert facilitator.

Find out more at NACo.org/Skills

AAC

NEWS FROM NACO

www.naco.org

About NACo – The Voice of America’s Counties National Association of Counties (NACo) is the only national organization that represents county governments in the U.S. NACo provides essential services to the nation’s 3,068 counties. NACo advances issues with a unified voice before the federal government, improves the public’s understanding of county government, assists counties in finding and sharing innovative solutions through education and research and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers money.

The Ashley County Courthouse was bathed in green light during Veteran’s Day week in 2023. Ashley, Benton, Bradley, and Johnson counties participated in Operation Green Light for Veterans that year.

— Photo by Hannah Morton Ashley County Judge’s Office

Operation Green Light shines light on veterans’ needs

A

program called Operation Green Light for Veterans shines a light on the plight of veterans in counties across the country who are having a hard time connecting with benefits after serving their country. A shining a green light, aims to let veterans know they are seen, appreciated and supported The program was endorsed by the NACo Board in 2022 and promoted by Carbon County, Pa. Commissioner Chris Lukasevich “We’re seeking formal recognition of Operation Green Light to connect veterans with benefits they have earned,” said Lukasevich, who is retired from the U.S. Army and served as the chair of NACo’s Veterans and Military Services Committee.

He said the veteran population in his county in Pennsylvania is among the top five highest in the state and has the highest suicide rate.

In Arkansas in 2022, Baxter County had the highest percentage of veterans based on population. And in 2023, according to the Arkansas Department of Health, Calhoun, Chicot, Howard, Little River, Madison, Perry, Stone, Van Buren and Yell counties had the highest suicide rates (more than 150).

Other statistics about veterans show: • About 178,677 veterans resided in Arkanas in 2022.

Thus, Arkansas holds the 30th highest veteran popula28

tion in the country.

• In 2022, 10.7 percent of veterans in Arkansas earned income below the poverty line, compared with 15.6 percent of nonveterans.

• In 2022, 36.3 percent of Arkansas veterans had a disability compared with 20.6 percent of the nonveteran population.

“We have a problem in this country, it’s extremely difficult to transition from military to civilian life,” Lukasevich said.

With Operation Green Light, counties literally shine green lights from their county buildings the week of Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11) to “send a clear message to inspire veterans to reach out to their county veteran service officers,” Lukasevich said.

At least four Arkansas counties participated in Operation Greenlight for Veterans last year — Ashley, Benton, Bradley and Johnson counties. We encourage more counties to participate this year.

To get started, NACo offers a toolkit online for counties to spread the word about Operation Green Light and encourage individuals, businesses, non-profits and other organizations to participate. The toolkit includes a blueprint for declaring a resolution in your county; sending out press releases; writing a letter to the editor to your local newspaper, writing a letter to Congress to ask that they advance county federal policy priorities for veterans, and posting information on social media.

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AAC

FEATURE

Celebrating 250 years

Pictured above is the logo for the Arkansas 250 celebration.

T

Story by SARAH PERRY AAC Communications Coordinator

he United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission was established by Congress in 2016 to plan and organize an “America 250” celebration.

To coordinate events and activities within the state, Gov. Sarah Sanders established the Arkansas 250 Commission in July 2024. The commission, with some subcommittees, has been working for the past year to coordinate various aspects of the celebration. “(The commission) wants to take this opportunity … to help promote civic engagement at all levels in our schools, promote history and learning at all levels,” said Director of Arkansas Heritage Marty Ryall, who serves as vice chair for the commission. “We also want to have a component of public service, rather than be at the local level, all the way up to the federal level, (such as military service).”

Van Buren County Judge Dale James, who was appointed by AAC Executive Director Chris Villines to represent counties on the commission, serves as the chairman for the Outreach Committee. Through many conversations amongst committee members, it was decided they wanted the celebration to be “a bottom-up effort.”

“We agree that it should be the best ideas that bubble up from the city/county levels,” he said.

Ryall said the anniversary is an opportunity to build on COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

celebrations that communities have been hosting for years.

“We want to build on those and contribute to those in any way we can to commemorate our 250 years,” he said, adding that the commission also wants to promote events leading up to the anniversary and recognize significant points in Arkansas history.

James feels this anniversary can bring the entire state and nation together.

“America is facing a divide that we haven’t faced since the 1960s. It keeps getting worse and worse. When we think it is getting better, we show that that divide still exists. This is something that can bring us all together and can bring us all to the table, even if it’s around one piece of history. It brings to mind the republic and the democracy that we are, that makes America, America,” he said. “It’s a lot more than a firework show on July 4, 2026. It’s about our heritage and the battles that we have fought, the challenges that America has overcome and the division that we have overcome in our past as a nation, and hopefully that history of overcoming can be a part of our future.”

State parks and museums that are under the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism will be included in the celebration as well, Ryall said.

While the Outreach Committee is still in the early planning stages, James said members have received plenty of positive feedback, and they are working to find ways for people from various organizations to take part.

Another focus of the celebration is educating the future genSee “250” on Page 46 > > >

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AAC

FEATURE

Photographer gravitates toward courthouses Story and Photo on this Page by SARAH PERRY AAC Communications Coordinator

H

e followed in the footsteps of his father when he became an attorney, a career that he said was “kind of a no brainer.” John Deacon, who lives in Winnipeg, Canada, practiced corporate and commercial law at D’Arcy & Deacon, the oldest continuous law firm in Manitoba.

While practicing law for more than five decades, Deacon became quite comfortable within the walls of a courtroom.

Eventually, his involvement in the legal system and his passion for traveling combined as he began researching and photographing courthouses across the world.

Deacon has visited 171 of the 196 countries in the world, and he has taken pictures of courthouses in all the lower 48 states. Recently, Deacon traveled across Arkansas to take updated pictures of the courtrooms inside each courthouse.

“The idea of doing the courtroom is that (the courtroom) is kind of the heart of the courthouse. As you go back in history, that is where the laws were developed, social gatherings took place. It was the center spot of the community,” he said.

Along with taking pictures, he also researches the history of each courthouse he visits to include finding the names of the architects and contractors.

“Sometimes the information is on a cornerstone or plaque. Other times I would search the county minutes, library information or newspapers. I have been up in attics and down in vaults. It is like detective work,” he said.

Once while visiting a courthouse in Illinois, he was looking through old records when he found correspondence about a discrepancy between contractors and former leaders during the bidding process.

“Everybody in the courthouse gathered around because they didn’t know the history of their building,” Deacon remembered.

When asked which courthouse has been his favorite, he mentioned Santa Barbara, California. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse was constructed in 1929 and occupies an entire city block. It was designed by master architect William Mooser in the Spanish Colonial/Moorish Revival style. “Santa Barbara County Courthouse is an extraordinary example of its style, with an elaborate array of detail emulating a Spanish castle or fortress,” according to the 30

John Deacon, a Canadian who practiced law for more than five decades, has toured the world taking photographs of courthouses and courtrooms. He recently made a pass through Arkansas.

California Office of Historic Preservation.

Deacon prefers the historic courthouses over the more modern courthouse buildings.

“All the courthouses have their unique history and style. Unfortunately, the modern courthouses do not match the elegance of the former Gothic, Romanesque and Beaux-Arts buildings,” he said.

While in Arkansas, Deacon was especially impressed by the historic Washington County Courthouse in Fayetteville.

“The Richardsonian Romanesque style building was completed in April 1905 for a total cost of $98,500,” according to the Washington County website. “Interesting building features include flooring in public spaces containing over 60,000 hand laid round ceramic mosaic tiles, and coal burning fireplaces with glazed brick COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

AAC

FEATURE

The historic Washington County Courthouse in Fayetteville was a favorite of Deacon’s. The Richardsonian Romanesque style building features hand laid tiles and coal burning fireplaces with glazed brick facades in each office.

— Photo by John Deacon facades in each office.”

Along the way, Deacon has seen several unique courthouses. One he mentioned is in Montana. The building was once used as a hospital and one of the elected officials was born in the same room that she now uses as her office.

He also has had some unparalleled experiences during his travels, including getting soaked by sprinklers on the front lawn of a courthouse, being accidentally locked inside a courtroom or being inside a bell tower in a Montana courthouse when the large bell rang at very close range, he said.

While sharing about his experience, he stressed the importance of maintaining these historic buildings.

“Age has affected some of the old courthouses and communities are encouraged to support the maintenance and preservation of these historic buildings,” he said.

While visiting Arkansas, he commended elected officials here who he said were gracious and welcoming.

Trips around the United States photographing courthouses are also an opportunity to visit family. He has family members who live in Arizona, California and Georgia.

More information about Deacon and all his pictures are available on his website, https://courthouses.co. If anyone has information that is missing from his website, they are encouraged to contact him at jdeacon42@yahoo.com.

www.arcounties.org COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

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AAC

FEATURE

Left: The CRI features a classroom where residents will spend five to six hours daily gaining mental health support, educational opportunities, legal guidance, job readiness, and more. Above: The facility includes a computer center.

A different look at criminal justice in Washington County Arkansas’ first-of-its-kind community rebuilding initiative tackling jail overcrowding and changing lives Story and Photos by Tad Sours Washington County Communications Director

W

ashington County, Arkansas, is at the forefront of criminal justice innovation. In a bold move to address chronic jail overcrowding and create pathways to redemption, county leaders have launched the Community Rebuilding Initiative (CRI) — a first-of-its-kind pilot program in the state aimed at giving non-violent offenders the support they need to turn their lives around. Housed in the former Crisis Stabilization Unit on Mill Avenue in Fayetteville, the CRI facility is being transformed into a residential substance abuse treatment center. The program, designed for pretrial detainees with non-violent, non-sexual charges, offers more than just a place to stay — it offers hope, tools for success, and a genuine shot at reintegration.

“Our hope is once they get out, we never see them again,” said Washington County Judge Patrick Deakins, summing up the goal of the initiative.

Turning Over a New Leaf This transformative vision is being carried out in partnership 32

with Returning Home, a Washington and Madison Countybased nonprofit specializing in reentry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals. The organization is led by Nick Robbins, who brings a deeply personal perspective to the mission.

“I ended up serving seven-and-a-half years in prison when I was in Iowa,” Robbins shared. “A nonprofit came in and shared hope with me that I had never had in my life. That gave me a vision to help other people.”

Robbins now channels that experience into leading Returning Home and shaping the CRI’s programming. He envisions a facility where residents will engage in five to six hours of classes daily, ranging from mental health support and educational opportunities to legal guidance and job readiness.

Inspired by Innovation As part of the planning process, members of the Washington County executive team visited a Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program in Sevier County. The team left impressed and inspired by what they witnessed — a structured, compassionate approach to rehabilitation that showed meaningful results.

“We saw firsthand how a program like this can truly change COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

AAC

FEATURE

Pictured are Returning Home Director Nick Robbins and Washington County Judge Patrick Deacons. The county partnered with Returning Home to create the CRI. Robbins will shape the the programming at the facility. lives,” Judge Deakins noted. “Our Community Rebuilding Initiative can be seen as an extension of the great work they are doing in Sevier County.”

This visit reinforced the county’s belief that programs rooted in accountability, treatment, and reintegration are the key to reducing recidivism and creating lasting community change.

A Creative Solution to a Growing Problem Washington County’s Detention Center is bursting at the seams. With a design capacity of 710 and an operating capacity of just 570, the facility housed 845 detainees at one point this spring — with 152 people sleeping on mattresses on the floor. The CRI is not only a step toward reducing those numbers, but also toward breaking the cycle of incarceration.

The program will not only reduce the local jail population at the Washington County Detention Center, but also decrease the number of inmates entering the Arkansas Department of Corrections — a long-term cost-saving and community-focused benefit.

A $355,455 federal grant, awarded through the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, jump-started the initiative. The county is contributing an additional $150,000 in matching funds (mostly in in-kind contributions) and working to secure further funding to expand the program. If the pilot proves successful, the plan is to expand into the old county jail, allowing up to 70 men to participate and eventually launching a similar program for women by 2026.

“Having a program for women is definitely part of the process,” Robbins affirmed. “We’re not forgetting anybody.”

Reclaiming Forgotten Spaces Ironically, the facility that will now become a place of transformation was once shut down due to funding cuts. The Crisis Stabilization Unit was opened in 2019 with $5 million in state COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

support but was closed by 2021 when funding was reduced.

After a brief reopening under UAMS, it was shuttered again in 2024. The county took back possession and quickly began reimagining its potential.

Similarly, the old county jail, once leased to the state for just $1 per year as a women’s unit, is now being prepped for transformation. With state detainees relocated, the building is poised to become the next major site for the CRI’s expansion.

Charting a New Course The pilot program, which began in May, will scale up gradually — starting with five participants and increasing each week until all 30 beds in the facility are filled. To qualify, detainees must meet several criteria: a bond of $10,000 or less, nonviolent and nonsexual charges, and approval from the prosecuting attorney’s office. Most importantly, they must show a genuine willingness to participate and follow the program’s rules.

According to Robbins, there were 76 men and 24 women in the detention center who fit the criteria at the time of the program’s launch — a clear indication of both the need and the opportunity.

Rebuilding Lives, Redefining Justice Washington County’s Community Rebuilding Initiative is more than a pilot program — it’s a statement. A declaration that communities can be tough on crime while still being compassionate. That justice can involve accountability and restoration. And that with the right tools and support, people can change.

As the program grows, its success could serve as a model for counties across Arkansas — and beyond. For now, it stands as a beacon of hope, rising from a shuttered facility with a new purpose: to rebuild lives, one second chance at a time.

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AAC

MEET YOUR BOARD MEMBERS Deanna Sivley Where were you born and raised? I was born in Texarkana,

What have you gained from being active in the Arkansas Texas, and raised in Ogden, Arkansas. County Clerk’s Association?

Employment background: I

County: Little River Board Position: Member Elected Office: County Clerk AAC Board Service: 2022-Present County Service: 2001-Present

owned The Ice Cream Churn and Sandwich Shop, worked as a dental assistant, worked for Efird Ford, and then I went to work in the county collector’s office.

I was elected county clerk in 2006, and I took office in January 2007.

What is your No. 1 priority as part of the AAC Board of Directors? My No. 1 priority is to make

I have served in every position of the County Clerk’s Association. You learn to pull together as a team. Every county may do things differently. However, when talking about all subjects, we learn what works best for each of us.

We become a family of sorts by being together and sharing the events that we all face.

sure the voices of every association are heard and included in the decisions the board makes as a whole.

Terry McNatt Where were you born and raised? I was born and raised in the

community of Dixie, Arkansas, in Eastern Craighead County. The son of a farmer and a public school teacher, I learned the lessons of hard work and the value of education at a young age.

Employment background: I County: Craighead Board Position: Legislative Chair Elected Office: Treasurer AAC Board Service: 2018-Present County Service: 2013-Present

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graduated in 1992 from Arkanas State University with a bachelor of science degree in accounting. I have been in County Government for over 33 years.

I was in law enforcement for 21 years, and I have served as Craighead County treasurer for 12+ years. I served as president of the Arkansas Treasurers Association from 2018-2022 and currently serve as legislative director for the AAC.

What is your No. 1 priority as part of the AAC Board of Di-

rectors? My No. 1 priority is to posi-

tively represent the 75 elected treasurers throughout the state and provide a voice of knowledge and understanding to matters facing all branches of county government. To become one voice, all associations must find common ground and work together for the betterment of the citizens of Arkansas.

What have you gained from being active on the AAC Board? Being on the Board has

broadened my understanding of the needs of every association, and how all our work is intertwined throughout all levels of government. The relationships that have been built on the AAC board are so valuable in navigating every aspect and every issue that comes before counties. It is truly an honor to serve in this capacity.

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AAC

FALYN TRAINA

STAFF PROFILE

New RMF Litigation Counsel to focus on auto and 1983 cases

F

Story and Photo by Sarah Perry AAC Communications Coordinator

alyn Traina recently was hired to serve counties as AAC’s newest Risk Management Services litigation attorney. Traina had a nontraditional college experience. After struggling her first year in college, she attended a community college briefly and worked to rebuild her grade point average. She changed her major several times while trying to figure out what career path she wanted. Eventually, she graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in English literature, planning to become an English teacher.

Traina said she became an attorney by chance. While watching TV one evening, she heard a character refer to the law school admittance test. She looked up the test and she decided to give it a try.

“It sparked a curiosity in me,” she said.

William H. Bowen School of Law in Little Rock was one of seven law schools to which she applied (she was accepted into all of them). Even though she had never been to Arkansas, Traina, who was born and raised in Texas, decided to attend the law school in Little Rock, where she excelled.

During her time in law school, she was a Dean’s Fellow and Student Success Leader as well as serving as a teaching assistant and on the Editorial Board for University of Arkansas

at Little Rock Law Review. In Spring 2024, a law note that she wrote about Act 626 was published in the law review. In 2024, she graduated law school with honors.

“To have accomplished what I have given my academic background, that is something that I am very proud of. It is a very unlikely story,” she said.

After passing the bar, she briefly worked at the Quattlebaum, Grooms and Tull firm in Little Rock before applying for an open position at AAC. “I really think I am going to resonate with the work that you guys do here. It is very particular to my interest,” she said, adding that she has always had an interest in the inner workings of jails and prisons and would like to work with reform or policies in that area.

At AAC, she will be working on auto and 1983 cases.

While she is new to the office, Traina said she has had a great experience, and everyone has been extremely nice.

Traina has made a home for herself in Little Rock. In law school, she made a lot of lifelong friends, including her boyfriend, Steven Benson, a native of Mountain Pine in Garland County.

One interesting fact about Traina is that she grew up competing in pageants. Recently, she finished among the top five in the Miss Arkansas USA pageant.

www.arcounties.org COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

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WHEN DISASTER STRIKES THE AAC RISK MANAGEMENT TEAM IS THERE FOR YOU! Just ask Garland County Judge Darryl Mahoney. When his county’s property was damaged by hail and fire, he relied on the Risk Management experts at the AAC to help.

“AAC RMF has never hesitated to engage in any claim we have turned over. They are always professional and looking out for Garland County’s best interest. We have had major claims on Easter and Christmas Eve, and the staff has always immediately responded to my registration of a claim, up to and including on Christmas Eve. They have also been amazing to allow us to have latitude to work through issues, prior to registering a claim, to reduce the extent of damage.

From offering suggestions about how to move forward with claims to approving work we started prior to having a good claim, AAC RMF has been the best team of insurance providers that I have ever worked with.”

What We Offer > > > >

• • • • • • •

General Liability Auto Protection Property Protection Justice Bridge Ordinance Codification CDL Drug Testing Guardian Inmate tracking system

For information: Brandy McAllister RMF & Insurance Director 501. 375.8694

James Mirus Member Benefits (501) 372-7550

LEGISLATIVE RECAP

AAC

PHOTO RECAP

The AAC Policy Team hosted a legislative recap meeting May 22 at the AAC office.

Far Left AAC Governmental Affairs Director Josh Curtis speaks about an act while AAC Executive Director Chris Villines listens.

Left: AAC Legislative Chair and Craighead County Treasurer Terry McNatt welcomes attendees to the meeting

Above Left: Crittenden County officials, from left, Collector Ellen Foote, County Clerk Paula Brown and Assessor Kimberly Hollowell chat. Above Right: Van Buren County Judge Dale James, far right, thanks AAC Legal Counsel Lindsey French for her work on Act 505, which amends the Freedom of Information Act of 1967. Also pictured are White County Chief Deputy Treasurer Jennifer Slane, left, and White County Judge Lisa Brown.

Right: Pope County Sheriff Shane Jones looks at the 2025 Index of Legislative Acts as Arkansas Sheriff’s Association Executive Director Scott Bradley speaks about acts that will affect sheriffs. Far Right: From left, Washington County Circuit Clerk Kyle Sylvester, Faulkner County Treasurer Scott Sanson and Washington County Treasurer Bobby Hill follow along during the presentation.

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AAC

PHOTO RECAP

SAFETY MEETING

The AAC Risk Management Services Department’s Annual Safety Conference was held May 13 at the AAC office.

Above: Dallas County 911 Coordinator/Supervisor Sheri Ware jots down notes while listening to a presentation.

Above: Benton County Facilities Assistant Michelle Rhoden and Benton County Custodian Supervisor Jimmy Walden attend the conference.

Above: Conway County Judge Jimmy Hart poses a question during one of the presentations.

Left: AAC Senior Workers Compensation Administrator Misty Petrus, right, looks on as Brandy McAllister, Risk Management and Insurance Director, responds to a question that was made during Petrus’ presentation.

Left: Mike Watson, with Arkansas Occupational Safety and Health speaks with the group about his agency. Right: Cleburne County Administrative Deputy Lloyd White is focused while listening to one of the speakers

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COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

AAC

PHOTO RECAP

SUPERVISOR SUPERVISOR BOOTCAMP BOOTCAMP

AAC

PHOTO RECAP

The AAC Risk Management Services Department hosted a The Arkansas CircuitApril Clerks met March 12-14 in Supervisor Bootcamp 24 Association at the AAC building.

Pulaski County after having to reschedule their meeting for winter weather.

Above Left: Marion County Jail Administrator Cassie Foster, Marion County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Mark Lee and Marion County Sheriff”s Office Lt. Silas Gibson attend the training. Above Right: Yell County/Circuit Clerk Anna Ward is all ears during the training.

Above Left: AAC RMS Employment Counsel Mallory Floyd speaks with the group at the start of the training. Above Right: Michael Sloan with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office listens to a presentation.

Above: Boone County Assistant Judge Tyler Gentry picks up a handout at the beginning of the session.

Left: Eighty-five people from across the state attended the training that was specifically designed for supervisors. Topics of discussion included medical leave, Workers’ Compensation, documentation, harassment in the workplace and having difficult conversations with employees.

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AAC

PHOTO RECAP

QUORUM COURT ASSOCIATION

The annual Arkansas Association of Quorum Courts meeting was held April 26 in Pulaski County.

Each year, AAQC members elect a 12-member executive board. Above, AAC Board Member, AAQC President and Jackson County JP Tommy Young campaigns to keep his seat on the board. Three board members come from each of the four state districts: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast.

Far left: Pictured are Washington County JP Lisa Ecke and Sebastian County JP Danny Aldridge, both of whom sit on the 12-member board.

Left: Desha County JP Dollie Wilson speaks to Madison County JP Cord Riley before the meeting adjourned.

Far Left: Columbia County JP Keith Willingham, Randolph County JP Doris Sharp, and Van Buren County JP Nickie Brown listen intently.

Left: AAC Executive Director and Miller County JP Howdy Smith visit prior to the start of the meeting. >>> 40

COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

AAC

PHOTO RECAP

QUORUM COURT ASSOCIATION

Above Left: AAC Legal Counsel and JP liaison Lindsey French discusses Freedom of Information Act changes. Above Middle: Pike County JP John Plyler, who was acting as secretary, takes the roll. Above Right: AAC Governmental Affairs Director and JP liaison Josh Curtis, who also sits on the Saline County Quorum Court, chimes in on a legislative report.

Far Left: Ashley County JP Ronnie Wheeler looks over some handouts during the meeting.

Left: Baxter County JP Dennis Frank (left) and Greene County JP Ronnie Roberts have a discussion during one of the breaks.

Far Left: Calhoun County JP Keith Gresham (left) and Chicot County JP Theodore Brown stop to pose for a photo.

Left: Members of the Southwest District gather to determine which three JPs will represent them on the AAQC 12-member board.

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AAC

PHOTO RECAP

ARORP

The Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership held a news conference at the AAC in April to announce $150,000 in funding to six groups.

Above: Six groups from across Arkansas — I BEAT That Empowerment Movement, Changing Hearts and Navigating Great Endings, Cleburne County Health Coalition, Where You Are Inc., Bridge to Success and Freshly Renewed Transitional — will each receive $25,000 to cover travel and training fees at national conferences.

Far Left: ARORP Director Kirk Lane introduces the six groups. Left: ARORP Deputy Director Tenesha Barnes watches as Lane speaks. Later, Barnes gave an overview of the Arkansas Coalition Partnership Empowerment (COPE) initiative, of which the six groups are a part.

Above Left: AAC Litigation Counsel and ARORP Board Member Colin Jorgensen welcomed everyone to the press conference and gave an overview of the litigation that helped form ARORP. Above Right: Arkansas Municipal League Director Mark Hayes discusses ARORP’s work and shares a personal story of the loss of his son to a fentanyl overdose.

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COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

AAC

PHOTO RECAP

COLLECTORS The Arkansas County Tax Collectors Association gathered for a legislative conference April 10 at the AAC office.

Left: Meeting attendees pose for a group picture on the stairs of the Arkansas State Capitol. The group was then recognized in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Right: Poinsett County Chief Deputy Collector Pam Harper, right, is all smiles while chatting with Lawrence County Collector Stephanie Harris.

Far Left: Polk County Chief Deputy Collector Laura Kiersey takes notes during a presentation. Left: Faulkner County Collector Sherry Koonce visits with John Dawson, managing director of DivcoData before the conference kicks off.

Right: Little River County Deputy Collector Carolyn Blake takes a picture of Carroll County Collector Krista Burnett, left, and Chicot County Collector Jolecia Manning.

Far Right: Association President and Garland County Collector Rebecca Talbert welcomes everyone to the conference.

COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

43

AAC

PHOTO RECAP

CORONERS In April, the Arkansas Coroners Association hosted a 40-hour Arkansas Medicolegal Death Investigators training in Pulaski County.

Far Left: Washington County Deputy Coroner Kye Stokenbury listens to a presentation during the 40-hour course.

Left: Wendye Markowitz, Baxter County deputy coroner, responds to a question.

Above Left: Saline County Coroner and President of the Arkansas Coroners’ Association Kevin Cleghorn leads the training which was held across two weekends. Above Right: Sebastian County Coroner Kenny Hobbs is tuned in during the training.

Right: Faulkner County Deputy Coroner Amity Weatherley pays attention during the first day of the training.

Far Right: During a discussion about organ donation, Crawford County Deputy Coroner Wade Watkins tells attendees that he is an organ transplant recipient.

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COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2025

AAC WORKERS’ COMPENSATION TRUST

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AAC

FEATURE

250

Continued From Page 29 < < <

eration. Ryall called the anniversary, “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to really engage our young people on the importance of our Arkansas heritage and our history.”

The Education Subcommittee, led by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education’s Dr. Ken Warden, has been working to organize this portion of the celebration.

During an April meeting of the Arkansas 250 Commission, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Shea Lewis, who serves as chairman of the commission, announced the Arkansas Department of Education has earmarked more than $400,000 for curriculum geared toward the Arkansas 250 celebration.

During the April meeting, the commission also discussed other ways to commemorate the 250th anniversary, including resolutions, promotional materials and historical markers.

Before the close of the 95th General Assembly, both the Senate and House of Representatives approved resolutions to recognize and support the Arkansas 250 Commission.

According to the resolution, “This semiquincentennial event is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to engage children, students and adults in educational activities, civic engagement and public service opportunities.”

County and city leaders are encouraged to pass a similar proclamation to help educate their communities about the celebration.

The commission voted during the April meeting to allow the Outreach Committee, as funding becomes available, to purchase promotional materials, including flags with the Arkansas 250 logo to be flown at courthouses and city halls across the state.

Ryall also spoke with the commission about the Arkansas Historical Marker Program through the Division of Arkansas Heritage. Lewis spoke highly of the program while telling the group that the unveiling of these markers often rallies the communities where they are located. The commission voted in favor of pursuing historical markers to commemorate the Arkansas 250 celebration.

Currently, the commission is working to raise money to fund the various components of the celebration.

“We’re relying on private funds to fund much of our operation, so we are looking for corporate sponsors and private donations to help fund our operations,” Ryall said. “We feel good about where it’s going … It’s a great opportunity for Arkansans to come together and celebrate our history and heritage, so we feel good about that. A lot of people want to be involved.”

Ryall told fellow commission members that Walmart officials have agreed to donate.

For more information about America 250, visit america250. org. Information about the Arkansas 250 Commission is available at https://www.arkansasheritage.com/arkansas-250/ home.

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